Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I File A Self-Assessment Tax Return?

Your have two options.

  1. Hire a professional to complete your self-assessment for you although professionals will usually charge you for this service.

  2. Complete your self-assessment yourself. This is free of any charge.

If you choose option two, Here is a step by step guide.

Log in to your Government Gateway account with the user ID and password you received with your registration. Then you’ll be asked to provide the following information:

Step 1 | Personal details — like your date of birth and marital status.

Step 2 | Complete your return — fill in the sections that apply to you.

Step 3 | You will be asked if your self-employed income exceeds £1,000. You may also need to answer ‘Yes’ if you have not exceeded the threshold (check the Help about for further information).

Step 4 | Then, start by selecting ‘Fill in your return’ and ‘Enter self-employment details’.  The process then starts with providing information on your annual turnover (earnings).

Step 5 |  Paying tax — If your annual turnover exceeds £90,000, you may have to register for VAT.

Step 6 | Tick anything on the list that applies to you.

Step 7 |  You will have to provide information about your business. On page three, you must add your accounting details. It is recommended to use the 5th of April as the date your books are made up to, as it is the end of the tax year. Answer the remaining questions and check ‘Help about’ when you are unsure what things mean.

Step 8 |  You must provide your turnover figures and any other business income.  Here you can also claim your trading allowance, but keep in mind this means you cannot deduct any other expenses. If you do not use the allowance, provide your expenses below. When done, your calculations will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Step 9 |  The following sections cover Capital Expenses, Adjustments, Losses, Tax Deducted, and Class 4 National Insurance Contributions. At the end, you will see a summary so you can check everything. Do not forget to submit your return once done.